NFL legend Junior Seau was found dead in his home in Oceanside, CA … and cops are investigating a shooting … multiple law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Cops are currently at Seau’s home just outside San Diego. Seau was 43-years-old … and leaves behind 3 kids and an ex-wife.

Seau was a beast in the NFL — skyrocketing to fame thanks to his explosive play with the San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The USC standout was selected in the first round of the NFL draft in 1990 and played in the league for 20 years.

Seau was involved in a car accident back in 2010 when he drove his SUV off a cliff in Carlsbad, CA hours after he was arrested for allegedly attacking his girlfriend. Seau later said he was not trying to kill himself … insisting he had fallen asleep at the wheel.

TMZ also reports Seau sent text messages to his ex-wife and 3 kids yesterday saying, “Love you.” but they all responded and didn’t suspect anything was wrong. They also report he last saw his kids 3 weeks ago.

Law enforcement sources are reporting Junior died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

The San Diego Chargers have released an emotional statement saying,

“Everyone at the Chargers is in complete shock and disbelief right now…We ask everyone to stop what they’re doing and send their prayers to Junior and his family.”

UPDATE 3:30pm EST

At 3:30PM EST the Police held a press conference. They stated:

Junior Seau was found in his bedroom where lifesaving efforts were performed. A handgun was found by the body and it will be investigated as a suicide.

Junior’s sister addressed the media requesting the family’s privacy be respected. Junior’s mom also addressed the media, openly distraught. In a mixture of tears and screams, she asked how this could happen to her son.

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UPDATE: 3:50pm EST

A rep for the Oceanside Police Department spoke outside Seau’s San Diego home saying police responded, and found Seau’s unconscious body inside a bedroom, with a gunshot wound to the chest.

Paramedics attempted to revive Seau, but life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His body is still inside the house.

The rep says investigators recovered a handgun on the scene. The case is being investigated as a suicide.

Seau’s mother also spoke briefly — and she was hysterical, crying to God, “Take me. Leave my son alone!”